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Asics and Waseda University Announce Partnership Aimed at College Sports Industry

https://www.wwdjapan.com/business/2016/03/03/00019811.html

translated by Brett Larner

Asics has formed a comprehensive partnership with Waseda University, a five-year agreement beginning March 2, 2016.  The three main objectives of the collaboration include research and development in sports products and sports medicine, sports-related human resources development and international exchange, and social contribution actions including volunteer activities and event organization.  The views and opinions of students on Waseda's 44 sports teams including its track and field and rugby programs will be incorporated in designing and developing the training gear and uniforms that they will actually use.

Asics CEO Motoi Oyama enthusiastically commented, "Although we have given partial support in the past, this is the first time that we have formed a partnership with a university as a whole.  Partnering with a school like Waseda University with high name recognition value and organization will not only increase brand value but, I am convinced, bring about new areas of future value.  Together with Waseda University we hope to help further develop Japanese university sports and to revolutionize the university sports industry.  Examining the situation of on-campus retail outlets, we may look at opening off-campus stores as well.  As just one university and one company it may be difficult to bring about a university sports industrial revolution, but I hope that we will be able to sow the seeds that lead to that happening."

In 2002 Waseda University signed a partnership agreement with Adidas Japan.  In October, 2014 Adidas opened a Waseda Sports Official Partner Shop on the Waseda campus selling Adidas products.  The shop closed in February this year.
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